Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan is taking a significant step towards energy independence and sustainable development with plans to build the first geothermal power plant (GTES) in Central Asia.

This project aims to address the growing demand for electricity and ensure a stable energy supply for the country.

A delegation from "Uzbekhydroenergo" recently returned from China, where it held talks with leading energy companies "China Southern Grid" and "Huaneng".

During the meetings, the prospects for jointly implementing two major investment projects were discussed: the construction of the Upper Pskem GTES on the Pskem River in Bostanlyk and the Khojakent GTES in Tashkent region. Chinese specialists highly praised Uzbekistan’s modern hydroelectric power management system after visiting the "Uzbekhydroenergo" situational center.

GTES is an innovative technology combining the advantages of hydroelectricity and energy storage. It operates in two modes: during periods of low electricity demand, excess energy is used to pump water into an upper reservoir, while during peak hours (morning and evening), the water is released to spin turbines and generate electricity. The new GTES plants in Uzbekistan will use efficient two-machine units.

This project offers several significant advantages for Uzbekistan:

GTES operates in two modes:

Pumping mode: When there is excess energy in the power system, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper one. This serves as a form of energy storage in the form of potential energy.

Turbine mode (generation): When electricity demand is high (during peak hours, such as in the morning from 7:30 to 10:00 and in the evening from 17:00 to 21:00), water from the upper reservoir is released to spin turbines and generate electricity, which is fed into the grid.

Advantages of GTES for Uzbekistan:

Stable energy supply: GTES helps smooth out peak loads in the power system, preventing electricity outages, especially during cold and hot seasons.

Addressing growing energy consumption: As Uzbekistan’s population grows, energy consumption increases, and GTES helps solve this problem.

Job creation: The construction and operation of the GTES will provide jobs for about 1,500 people.

Increasing hydroenergy potential: The project expands the country’s ability to use its hydroelectric resources.

Production of cheap and clean energy: GTES is a source of relatively cheap and environmentally friendly energy.